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Pier Luigi Nervi for the FAO

Following the exhibition at MAXXI devoted to Pier Luigi Nervi, the voyage of the Giuseppa, the ferrocement fishing boat designed by the great engineer continues.
During the year of the 150th anniversary of the Unification of Italy and the 60th of the transfer of the FAO to Rome and on the occasion of the 35th session of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean, the exhibition Pier Luigi Nervi for the FAO is being inaugurated at the FAO headquarters in Rome (Viale delle Terme di Caracalla, 14 May – 15 July 2011).For further information: segreteria.rapponuroma@esteri.it
Nervi and the fishing boats for FAO
In March 1967 FAO asked Pier Luigi Nervi to create two ferroconcrete fishing boats to be used in the artificial lake Nasser in Egypt to promote the realization of fishing tools, known as a valid way to fight hunger.
The idea was to create two fishing vessel prototypes in Rome, to drawan operatingmanual for their construction andtotrain skilled local workers to build their own boats. Pier Luigi Nevi took part for free in this project. Nervi’s constructionmethodwas extremely affordable, fast and really easy to learn, also for not skilled workers.
Instead of his worldwide engagements, Nervi grows fond of FAO’s proposal, which is something that allows him to develop a never forgotten project. Right after World War II Nervi had tested his invention, ferroconcrete, patented in 1943, on boats.

In 1969, after a long break, Nervi is back to realize FAO’s project, in his enterprise’s yards, located in a roman suburban area. On September 9th 1970 two shipswere launched in Fiumicino harbour, one was 7,5 meters long and the other one 10. Two years later he created two other boats, to be used in African lakes. Unfortunately none of themsurvived.
Today La Giuseppa is the only sample left of a ferroconcrete boat. Createdwith that same technique during the same years, this vessel is a living recollection of Pier Luigi Nervi’s creative adventure.

Exhibition promoted by the Permanent Representative of Italy at the United Nations Organization in Rome. Ambassador Pietro Sebastiani.
With the contribution of the Rome Tor Vergata University (curated by Sergio Poretti and Tullia Iori) and MAXXI Architettura (Director Margherita Guccione)

With the support of Italcementi Group.

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